I’m a Hornets fan.No, not one of the several thousand bandwagon fans who didn’t show up until the team started winning.I was a Baron Davis fan when the team was in Charlotte, and my loyalty remained when the organization relocated to New Orleans in 2002.After Chris Paul led the team to the Western Conference semifinals  last season, this was supposed the be the year the Hornets took the next step.Much to my chagrin, it’s not likely to happen — not if the Lakers have anything to say about it.Los Angeles boasts the NBA’s best record (8-1) and is No. 3 in both scoring offense (105 points per game) and scoring defense (91 points per game).Sure it’s early. But when a team’s average margin of victory is 14 points, people tend to take notice.And with good reason. The Lakers reached the NBA Finals last season, losing to the Boston Celtics in six games.They did it without center Andrew Bynum, who was injured for the latter part of the season.Bynum is healthy this season and throwing some ‘bows, averaging 11 points, nine rebounds and three blocks per game.Other than newly acquired swingman James Posey, the Hornets’ bench is nothing to brag about.They’re reeling to find a backup point guard after losing Jannero Pargo in free agency to a Russian club.Mike James can’t run a dishwasher, much less the Hornets’ up-tempo offense. And Hilton Armstrong, New Orleans’ reserve center, is garbage.What happens in the playoffs when center Tyson Chandler gets in foul trouble defending Laker seven-footers Bynum and Pau Gasol?Armstrong will foul. And foul. And foul.And when he’s not fouling, he’ll turn the ball over.Garbage.Los Angeles, on the other hand, now has forward Lamar Odom — who started 77 games last season — in its arsenal of reserves, as well as forward Trevor Ariza and guard Sasha Vujacic, who has made 42 percent of his 3-point attempts.The Lakers average 36 points per game off the bench, while Hornets reserves manage just 25.Advantage: Lakers.Let’s not forget the Lakers and Hornets have already met this season, and Los Angeles won, 93-86, in New Orleans.The Hornets launched a furious comeback after trailing by as many as 23 points but fell short when reigning MVP Kobe Bryant sealed the Laker victory with a dramatic 3-pointer.This is precisely my point: Los Angeles left the game wide open for 23 of the final 24 minutes, and the Hornets couldn’t take advantage.Imagine what would happen if the Lake Show could turn it on for all 48 minutes.I don’t want to.Paul, who I believe will again be a leading candidate for MVP, will push New Orleans into another high seed for the playoffs.He’ll average 20-plus points and double-digit assists — again. He’ll take over several games when the rest of his team doesn’t step up — again.But the Lakers’ current squad could be pushing 70 wins when April rolls around.And with their bench deeper than ever, Kobe will be well-rested for the playoffs.That’s the last thing the Hornets need: a re-energized Kobe.Don’t get me wrong; I’m not ready to hand Los Angeles the trophy.But everything points to the Lakers winning the title this season. Vegas gives them the best chance with 2-1 odds.I just hope the Hornets can prove me wrong.
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